13 Variations on a Baroque Theme

In March 2004, the Sicilian government's Office of Industrial Development authorized a quartet of oil companies to explore potential offshore oil reserves in four different areas covering 750 square kilometers. Three of the locations pegged for development produced no complaints from environmentalists, but one created a major hue and cry: Val di Noto, which is listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List because of its extraordinary baroque architecture. Local residents not only place great pride on Val di Noto's worth as a historic site, but they also profit considerably from a successful tourism industry and agricultural science sector. Needless to say, the impending arrival of big oil (particularly American corporations) did not sit well with the locals (although the companies, of course, couldn't have cared less what they felt). What's chronicled here is the resulting two-year battle that took on David-and-Goliath proportions, a major story in Italy but virtually ignored in the U.S. While filmmakers Alessandro Gagliardo, Antonio Longo, and Christian Consoli's 13 Variations on a Baroque Theme is clearly slanted in favor of the anti-oil crowd, it is still a compelling and timely study of grassroots political organization—and an inspirational reminder that the so-called little guys and gals can make their voices heard. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)